U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell says West Coast states and communities cannot deal with tsunami debris on their own.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state is demanding federal help for West Coast states and communities that are faced with cleaning up debris that's washed up on their shores from last year’s Japanese tsunami, according to the Associated Press.

A 66-foot Japanese dock that detached during the disaster surfaced on an Oregon beach this month after traveling 5,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean; and Washington state officials were trying Friday to determine if a 20-foot boat that landed on Cape Disappointment State Park also originated in Japan. The dock was full of sea life, some of which could potentially be invasive species, the APreported.

Cantwell told the AP that the federal government needs a comprehensive plan for helping communities deal with the financial and environmental concerns associated with removing the debris.